Akwa Ibom Police Set to Enforce Third-Party Insurance with Deadline Approaching

The Commissioner of Police for Akwa Ibom State, CP Baba Mohammed Azare, has reaffirmed that the enforcement of third-party vehicle insurance in the state will be strictly implemented starting February 1, 2025, as per the directive of the Inspector General of Police, IGP Kayode Egbetokun.

During a press conference held on Tuesday, alongside other key stakeholders, CP Azare urged motorists to take advantage of the remaining time to ensure their vehicles are covered by valid third-party insurance. He emphasized that from February 1 onwards, any driver found without the required documentation will have their vehicle impounded and can only recover it by presenting the proper insurance documents within a specified time frame.

Azare highlighted that the initiative is designed to protect road users, ensure accountability, and enhance compliance with traffic laws. He reassured the public that the Akwa Ibom Police Command is fully prepared to enforce the IGP’s directives across all local government areas in the state.

“We want to call on members of the public to cooperate with the directives to avoid any embarrassment. We will ensure compliance in every local government area,” Azare stated.

The Commissioner reminded the public that third-party vehicle insurance is not a new requirement but a necessary part of a vehicle’s documentation, one that all vehicle owners should already have in place.

Azare also issued a warning against the use of fake insurance documents, stating that individuals found with fraudulent materials would be required to identify the issuing source.

Supporting the enforcement plan, the Sector Commander of the Federal Road Safety Corps in Akwa Ibom, Edward Odiete, urged road users to update their insurance and vehicle particulars to avoid any inconvenience when the enforcement begins.

Mr. Okon Okon, Chairman of the Akwa Ibom State Internal Revenue Service, praised the proactive leadership of the police, emphasizing that third-party insurance is a fundamental requirement for all vehicles, and urged vehicle owners to promptly update their documents.

The Chairman of the Nigeria Labour Congress in Akwa Ibom, Mr. Sunny James, also commended the police for organizing the strategic meeting and appealed to the public to renew their vehicle documents before the grace period ends.

However, David Okon, Deputy State Chairman of the Road Transport Employers Association of Nigeria, while endorsing the enforcement, requested an extension of the deadline to ensure a smooth implementation of the exercise across the state.